In 1877 two brothers Richard
and William Grant opened
a drapery shop
at no. 17 High Street Croydon
called Grants' Bros.
There were several expansions
to the growing store,
and in 1890 when the
High Street was widened
Grants Bros. moved
across the road and built
a much larger store.

On display is ephemera
relating to the Golden and
Diamond anniversaries of the
store in both 1927 and 1937.
These include an invitation
and a dinner menu for the
commemorative celebrations

held at the Greyhound hotel
on Tuesday 26 April 1927.

What's Your Story?

If you know a story about this object
we would like to hear from you.

Ask a member of staff in the gallery
for a contact card
or contact us at:

Museum of Croydon
Croydon Clocktower
Katharine Street
Croydon
CR9 1ET

Tel: 020 8253 1022
Email: museum@croydon.gov.uk

Grants Bros

By the 1890s the store had
over 60 departments. These
included a Hairdressing Salon
and a China and Glass department.
There was also several restaurants
and an outside catering section.

Grants was one of three
original department stores
in Croydon.
The other two were called
Kennards and Allders.

In Victorian times Croydon
was widely known for its
department stores
and quality shopping.

All three of these businesses
began as small family owned shops,
which in time grew to be the large
stores they were in their heyday.

The Grant family sold the store
in 1983, and it finally closed
in 1987.
You can still see the
Victorian facade
of Grants department store
in the High Street today,
although it is now home
to a cinema.

Victorian Handling Collection

The Museum of Croydon has
a handling collection of objects
related to Victorian Croydon.
The gentleman’s top hat
and ladies choker as seen
in the photograph
were both purchased
from Grants and these
are part of the
handling collection.

Sessions are offered
to local schools.
If you are interested to
learn more please email
museumeducation@croydon.gov.uk